Monthly Archives: October 2013

Algeria

Security forces found a massive arms cache in the southern province of Illizi near the Libyan border. Authorities suspect that militants created the cache, said to contain 100 antiaircraft missiles along with hundreds of anti-helicopter rockets, RPGs, and landmines.


Analysis: UN adds Benghazi suspect to al Qaeda sanctions list

The UN added Muhammad Jamal al Kashef to its al Qaeda sanctions list on Oct. 18. The US government previously designated Jamal on Oct. 7. The UN noted Jamal’s ties to the Sept. 11, 2012 attack in Benghazi, Libya, whereas the US government’s announcement did not. Jamal’s network continues to plan attacks.



United States

Recently disclosed secret US and Pakistani documents on drone strikes in Pakistan indicate substantial information-sharing by the US and some direct cooperation by Pakistan. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called President Obama for a clarification on reports that the US may have monitored her mobile phone. A federal prosecutor said al Qaeda operative and terror suspect […]


Syria

A rebel attack on a gas pipeline south of Damascus airport left much of Syria, including the city itself, in the dark. A large blast targeted a regime checkpoint in Damascus. Syrian authorities released 14 female detainees in a hostage swap. The Al Nusrah Front, aided by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham, […]


Pakistan

Secret memos reveal explicit nature of US, Pakistan agreement on drones


Al Qaeda

The Effectiveness Of Drone Strikes In Counterinsurgency And Counterterrorism Campaigns


Iran

Amos Yadlin on Iran Strike: Why Israel Needs to Act Soon


Iraq

Al Qaeda’s Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham killed 14 people in bombings that targeted civilians in Baghdad and Madain. Members of a human rights organization in Fallujah known as Herak launched a campaign called “We are against al Qaeda.”


Yemen

More than 300 members of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula attempted to break out of a prison in Sana’a. Guards at the outer perimeter opened fired on the prisoners before they could escape.


Israel

The Air Force reportedly struck a shipment of advanced weapons destined for Hezbollah; the IDF refused to comment on the report. Defense Minister Ya’alon said Israel is adhering to its red lines when it comes to the transfer of weapons from Syria, and that Hezbollah has not received any chemical weapons from Syria.


Egypt

Authorities reportedly discovered a major smuggling tunnel from Gaza that was subsequently destroyed. An Egyptian soldier was killed in a shooting attack by unidentified gunmen in central Sinai. Military officers are said to be encouraging army chief Abdel Fattah al Sisi to run for president.


Palestinian Territories

Turkey announced plans to provide the Hamas-run Gaza Strip $850,000 to deal with energy needs. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he is prepared to meet with Israel’s prime minister at any time to push forward the peace process. Thousands attended the funeral of Palestinian terrorist Mohammed Asi in the West Bank. Hamas’ Saleh Arouri, […]




Israel

U.S., Israel differ over how to resolve Iran nuclear issue


Norway

Why dozens of ethnic Somalis in Scandinavia are embracing jihad


Russia

FBI Probing Whether Russia Used Cultural Junkets to Recruit American Intelligence Assets







Tunisia

The Interior Ministry claimed to have killed nine terrorists and captured four last week in Beja; one of those killed was said to be Ansar al Sharia operative Lotfi Ezzine, a suspect in the assassinations of moderate political leaders Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi. Ezzine was reportedly detained during a raid in Sousse in August. […]


Algeria

Foreign Minister Lamamra said “considerable means” are being used to seal Algeria’s eastern and southern borders against terrorist infiltration; over 12,000 troops have been deployed, in the biggest mobilization yet along the border. He also said Algeria is beefing up security at its diplomatic missions in unstable countries. Terrorists in an SUV recently tried to […]


Mali

Suspected Islamist militants conducted a suicide car bombing in Tessalit against a military checkpoint, killing two Chadian UN peacekeeping troops and injuring six other people. A local official said that four people had been killed by the blast, including a child. French forces wrested control of Tessalit, in northern Mali near the Algerian border, from […]


Nigeria

Trial began for two Nigerians, Abdullahi Mustapha Berende and Saidi Adewumi, who are accused of recruiting for an Iran-based terrorist organization; the judge ordered a determination as to whether their confessions had been coerced. Islamic police in Kano publicly paraded 150 people accused of violating sharia law, as part of a new campaign to enforce […]


Norway

The head of the PST said the agency tried over three years ago to dissuade Westgate Mall terror suspect Hassan Abdi Dhuhulow from becoming a jihadist. The PST estimates that 30-40 people have traveled from Norway to fight in Syria but says the actual number may be higher. The father of two teenage Norwegian girls […]


United States

The Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee warned that al Qaeda is developing a safe haven in Syria along the Iraqi border, where it is planning attacks against the West, much as al Qaeda did in Afghanistan. He said there are now over 10,000 “committed” al Qaeda members in eastern Syria, more than the number […]